First-time voters

ByRay Wilbur |November 29, 2016

The 2016 presidential election saw roughly the same percentage of youth voters as the 2012 election, but an increase in young voters who did not identify with either major party — something experts say reflects their views on American politics and poses a clear challenge for the major parties. “Youth voters are skeptical about the two major parties,” said Abby Kiesa, director of impact at the The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. “Young people want drastic change, and they don’t think Republicans or Democrats will give them that.”

Young people are increasingly leaving behind the two major parties. This year, 35 percent of youth voters said they identify as independents, which is almost the same as the 37 percent who identified with Democrats before the election. This is compared to 29 percent independents and 45 percent Democrat in 2008.

Pink was the color of the day at the Michigan Capitol as thousands rallied in support of a variety of causes and demonstrated against an equally large number of grievances and worries. We are focused on how First Amendment rights are used in the first 100 days of the Trump presidency.

“It’s either you stand for something or fall for nothing,” said Michigan State University freshman Sam Bryant on voting in the 2016 Presidential Election. Thousands of MSU students feel the same way, with record-high numbers of new student voters registering to vote in this year’s election.

BySpartan Newsroom |November 8, 2016

We compiled Millennial voters’ reactions to today’s elections. Millennials make up the largest voting-age generation, but whether they turnout and whom they vote for could be pivotal in this election. We talked to MSU millennials about where they stand on this election.

“Rigged or rumored?” is the question that people all over the United States are asking. Recently, there have been social media charges about a rigged voting machine. It started as a simple status on Facebook and then circulated throughout the web, migrating to Instagram, Twitter and other platforms.

Here are two posts with the rumor. “I’ll definitely be more cautious about what I’m doing because who’s going to want Trump to win?” said Ayleen Perez, an East Lansing community member. Perez said that because she is Mexican American she has to use caution when voting because she does not want someone in office who is “against her race.”

Like Perez, Michigan State University student Sela McCarver said that she will be more cautious, but she feels that this voting machine rumor may simply be a way of making Trump seem fraudulent.

In Case You Missed It

Summertime poses as the perfect opportunity for students to make and earn money for the up-and-coming school year but with more and more summer internships failing to offer compensation for their time students can struggle to make ends meet. “When I first got my internship I was so excited,” said Michigan State University pre-med student Ali Beydoun, “then found out it was unpaid and I got a little worried.